After the first game of yesterday’s doubleheader against Eastern Michigan, Michigan baseball coach Rich Maloney was optimistic.

Sophomore centerfielder Ryan LaMarre had just made a spectacular diving catch to rob the Eagles of a scoring chance in the sixth inning. Junior first baseman Mike Dufek smashed a two-run home run so deep that it hit the Indoor Track and Field Building and gave Michigan a 4-3 victory.

“It was a moment,” Maloney said. “It’s been a while since we’ve had something like that at the right time.”

Then, less than one inning into the second game, Maloney’s entire outlook changed as he watched his team quickly fall behind 4-0.

“It was batting practice (for the Eagles) in that second game,” Maloney said. “That’s what it was.”

In the nightcap, the Eagles dominated Michigan with four longballs en route to their 11-5 victory.

The Wolverines struggled at the plate all day. In the first game, they batted 5-for-21, and in the second game they batted a slightly improved 8-for-30.

Michigan was no better from the mound. Maloney emptied his bullpen as the Wolverines again struggled with inconsistent pitching with two devastating innings in the second game where the Eagles scored four and five runs.

Junior Jeff DeCarlo got the start for Michigan, but after allowing four runs in one-third innings, he was replaced by sophomore Travis Smith. Smith pitched 2.2 innings before Maloney sent in freshman Kevin Vangheluwe. Vangheluwe, with similar results, gave up five runs in less than an inning. Finally, Michigan found some stability with redshirt sophomore Matt Gerbe, who only gave up one run in the final three innings.

“The bottom line is that if we don't pitch better, then we don’t stand much of a chance,” Maloney said. “But we can, I just believe we can. I’m not giving up.”

Michigan has struggled all year with spotty pitching and defensive difficulties. In the past five losses, the Wolverines have given up at least 10 runs and made a combined 10 errors.

“I did not expect this many games where we would give up that many runs,” Maloney said. “I just didn’t see it coming. I’m still hopeful, as crazy as it may sound, despite watching this myself. I just know these guys are better than that.”

Maloney finds his confidence from the glimmers of hope he sees in each game. In yesterday’s games, junior catcher Chris Berset and sophomore pitcher Tyler Burgoon both returned to the field after suffering injuries earlier this season.

Maloney trusted Burgoon to pitch the final four outs of the first game — including a span that saw a scoring threat that LaMarre diffused late in the sixth inning – but Burgoon was able to pull through.

For the Wolverines to win their intrastate battle with the Michigan State this weekend, a leader will have to emerge each game and set a model for the rest of the team as it tries to find consistency on a game-to-game basis.

“Sooner or later, you’re just waiting for someone to step up and rise up to the occasion and right now we’re not doing that and we’ll keep trying, we’ll keep battling,” Maloney said.